News

On Saturday, Nov. 1, Lee University will present its annual student talent showcase known as Parade of Favorites at 7 p.m. in the Conn Center.

This year’s theme is “Guys in Ties and Girls in Pearls.” The director for the event is Chelsea Miller, a senior public relations major from Fort Myers, Florida. A member of the Public Relations Student Society of America and other campus organizations, Miller was the director’s assistant for last year’s Parade of Favorites. After graduation, she plans to work for the Luis Palau Association, a nonprofit evangelistic organization.

“We hope this year’s Parade of Favorites will be one of the best Lee has ever seen. Our contestants have been dedicated through this process and I know their hard work will be shown on stage,” said Miller. “We’ve tried hard this year to bring impact to this experience by incorporating hands-on service with a local organization. I’m honored to be leading such an incredible group of people and can’t wait to share their hard work with everyone.”

The 12 contestants represent various student organizations at Lee, including the Greek service clubs, the Student Leadership Council, Leetinos, and the World African Student Association (WASA).

Olayinka Adedayo is a senior biological science major from Lagos, Nigeria. She is representing the World African Student Association in this year’s Parade of Favorites and will be escorted by Andrew Haratine. While at Lee, she has volunteered at the Good Samaritan’s Clinic and with Crossover, a food distribution program which partners with area grocers and retailers to feed local disadvantaged families. She has also held leadership positions in WASA and Generation Acts. After graduation, Adeyayo hopes to be a missionary doctor.

Carly Chamerlik is a senior psychology major from Chicago, Illinois. She is representing Theta Delta Kappa in this year’s Parade of Favorites and will be escorted by Jose Ortiz. While at Lee, Chamerlik has volunteered at Big Pal Little Pal and ShareFest. She has also held leadership positions in Sigma Nu Sigma. After graduation, Chamerlik hopes to travel, make music, and open multiple art studios in Europe.

Alyse DeVos is a sophomore human development major from Macomb, Michigan. She is representing the Student Leadership Council in this year’s Parade of Favorites and will be escorted by John Pianteri. While at Lee, DeVos has volunteered at Angelic Ministries and the Cleveland Emergency Relief Shelter. She has also been involved in numerous intramural sports and Lee’s tutoring program. After graduation, DeVos hopes to teach English in a Latin American country and work for a non-profit organization that focuses on international disaster relief.

Marisa Goodman is a junior studio arts major from Chattanooga, Tennessee. She is representing Zeta Chi Lambda in this year’s Parade of Favorites and will be escorted by Eric Schaufert. While at Lee, Goodman has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and the Boys and Girls Club. She has also held leadership positions in Zeta Chi Lambda and has been involved in Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society. After graduation, Goodman hopes to own her own art studio that serves children by teaching them to create art.

Kalen Johnson is a senior exercise science major from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She is representing Tau Kappa Omega in this year’s Parade of Favorites and will be escorted by Caleb Wade. While at Lee, Johnson has volunteered with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and at Cleveland Middle School. She has also been a Resident Assistant in Cross Hall. After graduation, Johnson hopes to pursue master’s and doctorate degrees in exercise science research and eventually become a college professor.

Ariana Kim is a junior English education major from Cleveland, Tennessee. She is representing Omega Alpha Phi in this year’s Parade of Favorites and will be escorted by Jeremy Tice. While at Lee, Kim has volunteered with the New Hope Pregnancy Center, Angelic Ministries, and Operation Christmas Child. She has had leadership positions in Omega Alpha Phi and Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society and has been involved in the LeeUpdate as a news anchor. After graduation, Kim hopes to pursue a career in broadcasting and be an English professor.

Lauren Kramer is a senior public relations major from Knoxville, Tennessee. She is representing Upsilon Xi in this year’s Parade of Favorites and will be escorted by Caleb Thomas. While at Lee, Kramer has volunteered with the Cleveland Bradley County Library and Habitat for Humanity. She has held leadership positions in Epsilon Lambda Phi, been involved in Public Relations Student Society of America, and has served on the Admissions recruitment team, A-Force. After graduation, Kramer hopes to travel while working in her dream career of public relations.

Brooke Mason is a senior psychology major from Mason, Ohio. She is representing Epsilon Lambda Phi in this year’s Parade of Favorites and will be escorted by Chase Clifton. While at Lee, Mason has volunteered with the Garden Plaza of Cleveland and in various Campus Choir service projects. She has also been involved with Lee’s College Republicans. After graduation, Mason hopes to open a women’s home for recovering addicts and those suffering from the effects of abuse.

Sofia Mino is a senior pastoral ministries major from Quito, Ecuador. She is representing the Leetinos in this year’s Parade of Favorites and will be escorted by Jean Paul Zabala. While at Lee, Mino has volunteered with Backyard Ministries and the English Learning Center. She has also been involved in Campus Choir and the Diversity Council and was formerly a competitive ballroom dancer. After graduation, Mino hopes to be a youth pastor in Ecuador and be involved in short-term missions.

Elizabeth Pate is a senior special education major from Dalton, Georgia. She is representing Delta Zeta Tau in this year’s Parade of Favorites and will be escorted by Tyler Stridde. While at Lee, Pate has volunteered with Westmore Church of God, Reinbow Riders, and the Salvation Army. She has also been involved in intramural sports and Arnold Elementary’s after-school program. After graduation, Pate hopes to get a teaching job and pursue a master’s degree in speech pathology.

Stephany Vasquez is a senior health care administration major from Athens, Tennessee. She is representing Pi Kappa Pi in this year’s Parade of Favorites and will be escorted by JB Hernandez. While at Lee, Vasquez has volunteered with Signal Mountain Youth Camp, Reinbow Riders, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She is also a member of Delta Zeta Tau and teaches Spanish at E.L. Ross Elementary’s after-school program. After graduation, Vasquez hopes to work at a children’s hospital in human resources and eventually move up to an administrative position.

Bekah Wright is a senior public relations major from Nashville, Tennessee. She is representing Sigma Nu Sigma in this year’s Parade of Favorites and will be escorted by Ben Scott. While at Lee, Wright has volunteered with Operation Christmas Child, Mount Olive Church, and Garden Plaza of Cleveland. She has also held leadership positions as recruitment chair of Sigma, worship leader at North Cleveland Church of God, and has been a member of the A-Force team. After graduation, Wright hopes to work in the public relations department of Overland Missions, a non-profit organization.

This event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact the Lee University Office of Student Development at (423) 614-8405.